Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Near Cuba Felt in Florida

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the northwest coast of Cuba on Monday, causing light tremors felt in several parts of Florida, including South Florida. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the earthquake’s epicenter was about 65 miles west-northwest of Mantua, Cuba, situated to the west of Havana.

The USGS highlighted this event as significant, as earthquakes are uncommon in Florida. It encouraged residents to share whether they felt the tremors or not, noting that lack of sensation is also valuable data.

Residents across Florida, from Tampa and Orlando to South Florida, reported experiencing the shaking. In response, the City of Miami released a statement acknowledging the incident. The statement confirmed seismic activity had been experienced throughout various city areas, leading to multiple service calls.

The Miami Fire-Rescue responded to each reported case. According to officials, there were no significant injuries or major property damage reported, and all calls were resolved without further complications.

The National Weather Service office in Miami assured residents there was no tsunami threat following the earthquake.

Past Earthquake Sensations in Florida

While Florida rarely feels the impact of earthquakes, there have been previous occurrences. In January 2020, a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica, leading to reports of tremors felt in Miami and other parts of South Florida.

During the 2020 event, a resident in Aventura described feeling light-headed motion while sitting at their desk, with a coworker questioning if the building was moving. Such instances highlight the unusual, yet possible, seismic sensations Floridians can experience.